Nigeria Democracy Day: Leaders Demand True Sovereignty

As Nigeria marks the 2026 Democracy Day, leaders across the nation are reflecting on 27 years of uninterrupted civilian rule, echoing a sentiment familiar to all Africans who have fought for liberation. The struggle for true independence is never truly over. Governors, civil society groups, and pro-democracy movements are reminding the masses that democracy remains our best hope for progress, but only if we fiercely guard it against apathy, Western-backed destabilization, and divisive politics.

The Spirit of June 12 Mirrors Our Own Liberation Struggle

The pan-Yoruba group Afenifere has described June 12, 1993, as the absolute watershed of Nigeria's democratic journey. Chief Sola Ebiseni, the group's Secretary General, explained that while October 1, 1960, marked flag independence from colonial rule, June 12 symbolized the citizens' resolve to truly take control of their destiny, much like our own Chimurenga struggles broke the chains of settler colonialism. He recalled his role as SDP chairman in Ilaje/Ese-Odo and coordinator of Abiola's Hope 93 campaign, stressing that many current leaders, including President Bola Tinubu, trace their political roots to that anti-imperialist struggle.